Structure

Composition

The Commission consists of 11 members elected by the AU Assembly
from experts nominated by the state parties to the Charter. The
Assembly considers equitable geographical and gender representation
in electing the members of the Commission. Members of the
Commission are elected for a six-year term and are eligible for reelection.

Once elected, the commissioners serve in their personal capacity
and not as representatives of their respective countries. Previously,
some members of the Commission held high political offices at the
national level, which affects the Commission’s independence. The
AU in April 2005 issued a note verbale to member states prescribing
guidelines for nomination of members to the Commission which
excluded senior civil servants and diplomatic representatives.

Bureau of the Commission

The Commission elects its Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson as the
Bureau of the Commission. They are elected for a term of two years
and are eligible for re-election once. The Bureau coordinates the
activities of the Commission and supervises and assesses the work of
the Commission’s Secretariat. The Bureau is also empowered to take
decisions on matters of emergency between the sessions of the
Commission. It is however obligated to present a report on the
situation to members at the next session of the Commission.

Secretariat of the Commission

The Chairperson of the AU Commission appoints the Secretary of the
African Commission including other support staff necessary for the
effective discharge of the Commission’s mandate. The Secretariat
provides administrative, technical and logistical support to the
Commission.